Fikile Mbalula hails fuel levy cuts as relief for the people, South Africans criticise his statement

• African National Congress Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula hailed the temporary fuel levy cut as relief for the people
• The relief is structured in two phases, with diesel cut by up to R3.00 per litre and petrol by up to R1.50 per litre from November
• South Africans pushed back sharply online, questioning the scale of the reductions and the timing ahead of the elections

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has spent a decade reporting on South Africa's political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG — Fikile Mbalula has publicly defended the government's temporary general fuel levy relief, framing the cuts as a direct benefit to working households during the peak festive travel season.

The African National Congress Secretary-General posted his remarks on X on 21 October 2026, arguing that reduced diesel costs would lower the price of moving essential goods such as bread, maize, and chicken, ultimately shielding consumers at the till.

He made a similar case for petrol, saying cheaper fuel would reduce the cost of taxis and private commutes.

"In the very season when families travel home and the shops are busiest, government has lifted a weight off the household. That is People First," Mbalula wrote.

How the fuel levy relief is structured

The relief, announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), rolls out in two stages.

In Phase 1, running from 4 November to 1 December 2026, diesel is reduced by R3.00 per litre and petrol by R1.50 per litre. Phase 2, covering 2 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, brings smaller reductions of R1.50 per litre for diesel and R1.00 per litre for petrol.

As of October 2026, South African motorists are paying over R30 per litre for petrol, with the wholesale diesel price reaching R33.29 per litre.

South Africans question the scale and timing

The post drew swift and largely sceptical responses online. Several users questioned whether the reductions were meaningful given existing pump prices.

@phillipmdhluli wrote:

"R37 per litre of diesel is still too high, Mr Mbalula. Surely you guys can get money somewhere else to subsidise for lower prices. For example, departments and municipalities return unspent billions to the treasury every financial year; let us start there."

@Mo_dyce asked bluntly:

"R3? That's lower diesel to you? You're pranking us, right?"

Others raised concerns about the temporary nature of the relief.

@ungovernableguy questioned:

"What is the long-term plan? Temporary relief isn't sustainable."

The timing of Phase 1, which coincides with the 4 November election date, drew particular scrutiny.

@Chiliza2012 said:

"I don't think one can be happy for those GNU cuts, just for elections, that's all. How do you justify reductions from election day till the end of November? You all are just a joke."

@NzimandeSphiwe1 echoed that sentiment, writing:

"We know y'all are just fishing for votes after the 4th. Then prices will go back."

@ElMesh1 added:

"You increase fuel prices intentionally, then reduce it by cents. Then you think we're all from Qunu. I'm still not voting for you come the 4th of November."

President Cyril Ramaphosa discusses fuel price relief

Briefly News also highlighted facts about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s consideration of further fuel-price relief.

The government spent about R24 billion on a previous fuel subsidy, while Parliament has advanced a proposed R10 billion allocation for debate.

Any new relief could mean taking money from other state programmes in an effort to prevent rising costs from putting pressure on households and businesses.

Source: Briefly News